Catalytic agents and process of making them.



UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALWIN MITTASCH, OF IIUDWIGSHAFEN-ON-THE-RHINE, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO BADISCHE ANILIN 8: SODA FABRIK, OF LUDWIGSHAFEN-ON-THE-RHINE, GER- MANY, A CORPORATION.

CATALYTIC AGENTS AND PROCESS OF MAKING THEM.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALWIN MITTASCH,

.catalytically by passing 'amixture containing nitrogenand hydrogen over a catalyticagent containing suitable' metal or metallic compound and a substance which promotes. the activity of such metal or metallic-compound.

I have now found that I can obtain catalytic agents of exceptional activity-by bring ing ruthenium or a compoundlthereof onto a carrier in the form of a 'soluti'oiifcoiitaining a compound of an acid oxid of ruthenium with a strong base, for instance alkali metal ruthenate. The contactmass thus obtained can be employed for catalytic purposes either directly or after undergoing a separate reducingtreatment, for instance it can 'be heated or acted upon with a reducing agent.- Hereby Ifinally obtain a catalytic agent containing ruthenium, either free or combined, and generally also a. strong base which is characterized by being exceptionally active, and, by possessing the catalytic agent spread out on the carrier so as to obtain the greatest possible surface contact action with a definite amount vof catalytic agent.

If desired, to the aforesaid oxygen compounds of ruthenium, there can be added other suitable substances or metallic compounds or even the metals themselves, and such additions may be indifferent diluents or may be promoters which improve the activity of the catalytic agent.

As instances of materials which can be employed ascarriers .for the ruthenium' or compound thereof, I mention asbestos,

- magnesia, alumina, pumice, meerschaum,

clay, cement, kie'selguhr, metals and carbon, without however in any way restricting my invention to the use of these materials. If desired, the carrier can be formed by precipitation in the solution of the ruthenate.

The catalytic agents obtained according Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application filed July 10, 1913. Serial No. 778,242.

to my invention can be used for any suitable purpose, for instance they can be "employed for catalytic oxidation processes or in the hydrogenization of various substances and for producing ammonia from amixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, in the manner described for instance in the. aforesaid Patent No. 1,094,194.

The following example will serve to illustrate further the nature of my invention,

which, however, is not limited to this example.

. Soakgrams of meerschaunijina solutionof potassium ruthenate in dilute caustic potash. solution and then evaporate the,-

water, preferably in vacuo, so that the carrier contains about -from'two to fiye per cent. of potassium ruthenate. The product I is then treated with a reducing agent orit can directly beiused e. g. for the catalytic production of ammonia, reduction in this case taking 'place on passingthe mixture of tare over the contact mass.

. Now what I claim is:-

1. The process of producing a catalytic agent free from halogen by applying to a carrier :1 solution containing a. compound 4. A catalytic agent containing a carrier,

ruthenium and a strong base and being free fromhalogen.

5. A catalytic agent containing a carrier, ruthenium and a basic oxygen-containing hydrogen and nitrogen at a raised temperacompound of of an alkali metal and being free from halogen.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

ALWIN MITTASCH. 

